Enhancing systems‐thinking skills with modelling

TLDR

Systems thinking is an essential cognitive skill that enables integrative understanding at conceptual and systemic levels, yet it is not innate, so educators must focus on developing it in students. The study aims to examine how using systems modelling as a cognitive tool enhances graduate students' systems‑thinking skills and to discuss the theoretical rationale and results. The study employed systems modelling as a cognitive tool to assess its effect on graduate students' systems‑thinking skills. Students showed a significant improvement in systems‑thinking practices.

Abstract

Abstract Systems thinking is an essential cognitive skill that enables individuals to develop an integrative understanding of a given subject at the conceptual and systemic level. Yet, systems thinking is not usually an innate skill. Helping students develop systems‐thinking skills warrants attention from educators. This paper describes a study examining the effects of utilising systems modelling as a cognitive tool in enhancing a group of graduate students' systems‐thinking skills. A significant improvement was observed in the systems‐thinking practises of the students. A theoretical rationale for enhancing systems‐thinking skills with modelling and the results of the study will be discussed.